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A 32-year-old man, Spencer Christjencody Gear has been indicted by a grand jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, on a 22-count charge for threatening to assault and murder federal officials, including federal judges, and state employees in Washington DC, New York, New Jersey and Montana.
In a statement published on its website, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) said Gear was arrested and made his first court appearance on Tuesday, July 23.
According to court documents, between November 30, 2023, and July 7, Gear made threatening phone calls and sent a threatening email to assault and murder eight federal officials with intent to impede, intimidate and interfere with the officials while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the officials on account of the performance of official duties.
Gear also threatened three state employees. He is charged with 10 counts of threatening a federal official and 12 counts of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure.
If convicted, Gear faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for each count of threatening a federal official and five years for each count of transmitting a threat to injure. A jury trial has been scheduled for September 24.
US Attorney General, Merrick B. Garland said, “The citizens we rely on to serve the public must be able to do their jobs without fearing for their lives.
“The Justice Department has no tolerance for acts and threats of violence targeting public servants, and we will stop at nothing to find and bring to justice those responsible.”
Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI National Security Branch said, “The FBI will not tolerate individuals who threaten government officials for doing their jobs and who create a climate of fear.
“As this case demonstrates, we will work with our partners to investigate and hold accountable all those who threaten or interfere with government officials as they carry out their duties.”
